Bush Is No. 1 With Callers

The Orlando Sentinel - SOUNDOFF

October 20, 1998

In the Florida governor's race, Republican Jeb Bush is the strong favorite over Democrat Buddy MacKay among callers to Sound Off.

From early Sunday until noon Monday, 7,169 people phoned Sound Off in response to the question: ``Do you intend to vote for Jeb Bush or Buddy MacKay for governor?'' Of those callers, 4,166 favored Bush, and 3,003 supported MacKay.

In a Sound Off matchup on Labor Day, Bush led MacKay 65 percent to 35 percent among 3,923 callers. During a phone-in in July that drew 3,293 callers, the percentage supporting Bush and MacKay was the same as on Labor Day.

Lake County School Board member Jimmy Conner was was among the callers who left comments supporting Bush. ``On most issues, Bush will bring the reform we need in the public schools instead of the same old pro-union philosophy that the Democrats have espoused for so long,'' said Conner, 44, who lives in Tavares.

Marjorie Salzwedel, 60, of Winter Park said, ``I think I would vote for Jeb Bush because I perceive that, in his remarks and countenance and everything he tries to do, he's genuine and seems to be a strong problem-solver. I think that's what Florida needs.''

Oviedo resident Bruce Olson, 63, said, ``After 40 years of being a Democrat, I find that Bill Clinton has finally given me the bug, and, since he showed up to endorse Buddy MacKay, I'm going to go with Bush.''

Those sentiments were echoed by F.R. Thomas, 77, of Sanford. ``Buddy MacKay ruined his chances when he tied himself to President Clinton's coattails. Anybody who would go for a ride with ... [the president) doesn't deserve to be governor.''

MacKay's supporters included Murielle Nechamkin, 75, of Orlando. ``I believe that Jeb Bush is using his name. I believe that he has outside interests - that are paying for his campaign - that will damage Florida.''

Sixty-one-year-old Mary Dreksler of Satellite Beach said, ``I will vote for Buddy MacKay because he will continue the excellent, successful policies of [Gov. Lawton) Chiles. I'm very much afraid of Bush because he is in favor of vouchers and also opposes background checks for gun sales.''

Chiedoze Martin, 36, of Orlando asked, ``How does a man who has never been elected to any office in Florida - and, therefore, doesn't have much experience - qualify to be governor?''

Dr. Ernest Wollin, 68, of Leesburg picked up on that same theme. ``Jeb Bush is totally unqualified to be governor of Florida. He's never been elected to public office. He has a questionable record as a businessman. Buddy MacKay is a dedicated public servant who has been my state senator, my congressman and a respected neighbor and citizen of our community.''